what is it with christian preachers?
(Sept. 23) -- Disgraced pastor Ted Haggard cautions that no one should rush to judge Atlanta megachurch Bishop Eddie Long, who is accused of coercing three young men into sex.
"Nobody's guilty until the court says he's guilty," Haggard, the former head of a 14,000-member congregation in Colorado, told AOL News in a phone interview Wednesday.
Three young men from Long's 25,000-member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church filed lawsuits this week claiming he exploited his position and used cash, cars and expensive trips to pressure them into sexual relationships.
"Let me be clear. The charges against me and New Birth are false," Long said in a statement read by his attorney, Craig Gillen.
Long canceled an appearance on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show" earlier today, as well as a scheduled news conference.
He will speak to his congregation Sunday about the claims, Gillen said.
Haggard, who was a superstar among the Christian right until a gay sex scandal forced him to resign from his Colorado church, told AOL News that Long deserves a fair hearing. If the accusations are false, Haggard said, Long will survive the ordeal. "The bishop is surrounded by people that will counsel him well," he said.
http://www.aolnews.com/nation/artic...rves-fair-hearing-on-sex-allegations/19644577
(Sept. 23) -- Disgraced pastor Ted Haggard cautions that no one should rush to judge Atlanta megachurch Bishop Eddie Long, who is accused of coercing three young men into sex.
"Nobody's guilty until the court says he's guilty," Haggard, the former head of a 14,000-member congregation in Colorado, told AOL News in a phone interview Wednesday.
Three young men from Long's 25,000-member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church filed lawsuits this week claiming he exploited his position and used cash, cars and expensive trips to pressure them into sexual relationships.
"Let me be clear. The charges against me and New Birth are false," Long said in a statement read by his attorney, Craig Gillen.
Long canceled an appearance on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show" earlier today, as well as a scheduled news conference.
He will speak to his congregation Sunday about the claims, Gillen said.
Haggard, who was a superstar among the Christian right until a gay sex scandal forced him to resign from his Colorado church, told AOL News that Long deserves a fair hearing. If the accusations are false, Haggard said, Long will survive the ordeal. "The bishop is surrounded by people that will counsel him well," he said.
http://www.aolnews.com/nation/artic...rves-fair-hearing-on-sex-allegations/19644577
